Aspen Acres Fire Resources

Information on how to help or get help

Grant Authorization for Aspen Acres Fire Burning in Custer and Pueblo Counties

Governor Polis announced that Colorado has been authorized for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Aspen Acres Fire burning in Custer and Pueblo Counties. The fire was first reported the morning of Monday, June 29, and has since grown rapidly to over 100,000 acres and 61% containment as of 7/20/2026. The Custer County Sheriff’s Office said evacuation zone C4, the zone that includes Bishop Castle, has reopened to residents today (7/20/26) at 8 a.m. Pueblo and Custer Counties are under Stage 2 fire restrictions, prohibiting the sale and use of any fireworks. Governor Polis is urging all Coloradans to follow local fire restrictions and help prevent any human-caused fires.

FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Aspen Acres Fire. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

***UPDATE 7/20/2026*** The Recovery Assistance Center (RAC) is opening today to assist residents impacted by the Aspen Acres Fire. The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) says the center will replace the former Disaster Assistance Center. The RAC is located at Beulah Heights Elementary, 2670 Delphinium Street, in Pueblo. PCSO said the center will open at noon and will be open until 6 p.m. The schedule will be in place Monday through Friday.

Resources are available to support evacuees and residents as they transition to recovery, similar to those provided at the Disaster Assistance Center. Lunch is served daily and food distribution is available. The Disaster Assistance Center is now closed and all services are at the RAC.

***UPDATE 7/14/2026*** For those impacted by wildfires that Gov. Polis has declared an emergency, you are eligible for tax relief according to the Department of Revenue. The DOR has extended the deadlines for some state tax filings to Dec. 31. This applies to income tax extensions that are otherwise due on Oct. 15, and sales taxes that are otherwise due between July 20 and Oct. 20. The governor’s office said taxpayers can contact the Department of Revenue to request penalty waivers for other taxes and fees due in October, including marijuana, fuel and the retailer delivery fee. Filers will have until November 6th to file. This does not apply to municipal taxes collected by home-rule cities, such as Pueblo. Eligible taxpayers must call to request an extension of the deadline after receiving a bill.  

HOW TO HELP:

• Pueblo County: At this time, the County says it does not need any more donations, as the community really rallied around them, and graciously donated items desperately needed. That could change, however. Check their Facebook for the most up to date information. 
• The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region: Supports Pueblo and El Paso County, really needs donations to house and feed all of the animals they were inundated with. DONATE HERE. They are asking for sheets to line kennels with. The HSPPR Community Animal Response Team (CART) team are trained to perform companion animal and livestock sheltering operations during emergency situations and disasters, including animal care and handling, health, documenting animal intake, and reuniting animals with their owners. They could use support. Here is a link to their response page, with other resources.
• The Pueblo County CART team:  are looking for volunteers. You can find the sign-up info.  HERE. (7/2 UPDATE: The CART Team is in need of certain items!! Find the info. HERE.)
• The American Red Cross: is assisting those displaced by the Aspen Acres Fire, and you can find more information on how to help HERE.
• Care & Share Food Bank: is accepting easy-to-open shelf-stable foods, pop-top cans, granola bars, and foods that don’t need preparation and can be eaten on site.
  They prefer donations to be dropped off at the Colorado Springs Location (2605 Preamble Point). THIS LOCATION WILL BE CLOSED OVER THE WEEKEND STARTING FRIDAY, JULY 3.
• Fremont County Sheriff’s Office: is in need of donated items. Here’s a list of what they need. The list continues here.
• The United Way of Southern Colorado is taking monetary and physical item donations, and need volunteers. As of early Monday 7/6/26, they were no longer in need of clothing, food items or water bottles. This could change, so stay informed on their Facebook. You can find the donation center at 1591 Taos Road. Items needed include:
  Bottled water

  Commercially packaged, shelf-stable food (no expired items or dented cans)

  Diapers, commercial shelf-stable baby formula, and new baby bottles

  Dog and cat food
  Large Animal Donations

  Colorado State Fairgrounds – Gate 7 (Small Ave. Entrance)
  Currently accepting:

  Grass hay

  All-flock feed for chickens, ducks, and turkeys

TO GET HELP:

• • Call 211: 211 can assist you with information on where to go and what to do.
  • Pueblo County Recreation Center: Serving as the primary evacuation shelter, located at 1650 Cooper Place, Pueblo, CO (small household pets are
  • accepted).
  • Disaster Assistance Center: Located at the Pueblo Academy of Arts (formerly Pitts Middle School) at 29 Lehigh, Pueblo. City officials said the center is a one-stop resource center set up to assist survivors with the recovery process. Among the services that will be available at the center includes the victims assistance, United Way of Southern Colorado, food, Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, behavioral health, the Department of Human Services, Red Cross, agriculture support and private insurance. This is not a shelter. For those looking to re-enter after going from evacuation orders to pre-evacuation orders, you’ll need a re-entry card or photo ID with proof of residency. The DAC will give out re-entry cards from 11a-6p with an exception for Tuesday, July 7th, opening at 9a for the re-entry cards only. All other services will begin at 11a.
  • Lange Hall: Located at 312 3rd St, Westcliffe, CO 81252 is serving as a shelter.
  • Pathfinder Park: Located at 6655 CO-115, Florence, CO 81226 is serving as a shelter.
  • Large Animals & Livestock: A shelter is set up at the Colorado State Fairgrounds (enter via Gate 7 off Small Avenue, Pueblo.)
  • The Wetmore Community Center has closed.
  • The United Way of Southern Colorado : is providing food, water, clothing, and hygiene products to evacuees. You can come to the Donation and Distribution Center at 1591 Taos Road. to get anything you need.Grab a cart and fill it up for free.
  • ENT Federal Credit Union (soon to become Wings Credit Union) is ready to assist Ent members who live, work or own businesses in areas impacted by the Aspen Acres fire. ENT could defer your loan payment without penalty, or use its our Skip-A-Pay program if your loan qualifies.
  • 1129 Spirits & Eatery: is providing meals, and taking donations to be delivered where they need to go.
    

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE:
Care and Share of Southern Colorado
Pueblo Cooperative Care Center
Transitional Housing through Airbnb
So Co Giving Hearts

STAY INFORMED:

Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office

Custer County Sheriff’s Office

The Pueblo YMCA

Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
American Red Cross of Colorado
Watch Duty-shares up-to-date information on the fire, evacuation orders, shelters and more.
The Official Aspen Acres Fire Facebook Page-providing updates on the fire.

Pueblo Emergency Status Board
Inciweb-providing updates
U.S. Forest Service Closure Areas

• If you have been displaced by the fires, contact your insurance agent or company immediately to let them know where you are staying. Not only can they help you with coverage or claims questions, they can help find lodging options as many people in the area will be temporarily displaced.
• To find the contact information of your homeowners or auto insurance company go to Insurance Company Claims Filing Telephone Numbers
• Save all receipts for living expenses if you’ve been evacuated or displaced by the fire, as homeowners or renters in these situations typically have insurance coverage for additional living expenses (ALE) which provides them with an amount of out-of-pocket money while evacuated. Check with your insurance company or agent about your coverage. If you are unable to live in your house or apartment because of the fire, most policies will also reimburse you the difference between your additional living expenses and your normal living expenses. Again, check with your insurance company or agent about your coverage.
• Start the claim process as soon as you can. For your home, any out buildings and vehicles, you’ll want to contact your insurance company or agent right away to begin the claim process. However, these fires were devastating and many people have been significantly impacted, so the insurance process will take time.
• If possible, and only if it is safe to do so, try to document any damage by taking photos.
• If your home survived the fires, it may still have experienced damage from smoke or water, or to the electrical systems or other damage due to the extreme heat. As with direct fire damage, contact your insurance company or agent as soon as possible to start the claims process.
• If you have questions about insurance, contact the Division of Insurance. The Division’s Consumer Services Team will staff the phones and answer emails from 8 a.m – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. While claims need to be filed with the insurance companies, the Division can assist consumers with questions about insurance and the claims process. Contact the Consumer Service Team at 800-930-3745 (outside of the Denver metro area) / DORA_Insurance@state.co.us  or visit the website, doi.colorado.gov (click on “File a Complaint”).
• Renters should contact their renters’ insurance.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also has programs designed to assist disaster survivors.

Email summer@x1039radio.com if you have any information we should add!